State may rein in CBSE, ICSE schools

If the Minister of State for School Education has his way, the state Govt would work out a policy by which it would have a greater say in the functioning of CBSE and ICSE schools, reports Ketaki Ghoge.

If the Minister of State for School Education Hasan Mushrif has his way, the state government would work out a policy by which it would have a greater say in the functioning of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) schools.

Mushrif’s decision came after legislators complained in the Assembly that the state had failed to exercise sufficient control over these schools, despite instances of exorbitant hike in fees and unfair admission procedures.

A change in government policy would mean the state can have more say in deciding fees, number of students in each class and faculty qualifications in these schools. It might also mean that the state can enforcing the singing of the national anthem that is not yet mandatory for ICSE and CBSE schools.

At present, the government’s control is limited to granting certificates of no objection to these schools on the basis of certain conditions, after scrutinising documents like audits, building and academic permissions.

“We will examine whether we can exercise control by putting more conditions on these schools before they are established. Or, as a disciplinary measure, we can bar their students from junior colleges if they are unwilling to follow our rules,” Mushrif said.

“If the state asks us for any figures, we have always complied. The state gives us the land for our school, so they do have a right to look into the functioning of the school,” said N.N. Nayyar, former president of Mumbai Sahodya School Complex.